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United Kingdom: what a solo founder can apply for

1 place and 4 programs so far. Each place has its own page with the programs we have listed, the eligibility conditions and the source.

4programs listed

PlacesOpen a place to see the programs we have listed

United Kingdom (national)4 programs · Open for applications

Comparison

Headline maximum versus what a solo founder can apply for1 place. Select a row to expand it.

Place	Headline maximum	Open to a solo founder	Type of support	Example	Application window
United Kingdom (national)Checked against the source	£1 million Annual Investment Allowance	4 programs		Start Up Loan£500 to £25,000 at a fixed 7.5% a year	Open for applications
What a solo founder can apply for in these programs Start Up Loan£500 to £25,000 at a fixed 7.5% a year A government-backed unsecured personal loan, repaid over 1 to 5 years. You must live in the UK, be 18 or over, pass a credit check, and have (or plan to start) a UK-based business that has been fully trading for less than 5 years. Successful applicants get up to 12 months of free mentoring. Source Annual Investment AllowanceDeduct the cost of most plant and machinery, up to £1 million Available to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. You can only claim in the period you bought the item. Source Seed Enterprise Investment SchemeRaise up to £250,000 from investors who get tax relief Limited companies only: investors buy new shares in your company, so this is investment, not a grant. The company must be established in the UK, carry out a new qualifying trade, and follow the scheme rules for at least 3 years. Source R&D tax reliefTax relief for projects that seek an advance in science or technology Only companies chargeable to UK Corporation Tax can qualify, so a sole trader cannot claim. Source Why the headline figure is out of reach: It is a tax deduction on equipment you buy, not money paid to you. To use all of it you would have to spend £1 million on plant and machinery in one accounting period. Eligibility conditions The Start Up Loan is a personal loan: it must be repaid and depends on a credit check. The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and R&D tax relief are for companies only. The Annual Investment Allowance only helps if you buy plant and machinery. Application window The Start Up Loans page is taking applications and shows no closing date. The tax schemes have no application rounds. Handled by: the body named on each official page. Source: UK Government (official websites). Last checked on 2026-10-04.

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